Year 3 Graduation

This morning we held a Graduation Ceremony for the 2013 Year 3 children. They have all been great role models, with a positive attitude towards their learning. 

Here are our Year 3s with their certificates:

Congratulations to: 

(Back) Rheubyn, Jonathan, Xavier, Daniel, Conor, Ruaridh and Erin

(Front) Eve, Libby, Rebecca, Won Jeong, Amelia K and Harriet

Term 4 Week 9

On Friday we presented the last of our plays for 2013. I am very impressed with what the children have learnt through preparing for and presenting plays. The enthusiasm, creativity and energy that has gone into this part of the curriculum is amazing. The highlight has been the growth in their confidence in being in front of an audience.
Ka pai, Room 5! You are all awesome.

Rebecca, Won Jeong, Eve and Erin

Thea, Poppy, Daniel and Liam

Rheubyn, Xavier, Elspeth, Harry, Jack, Conor and Asher

Jonathan, George, Rata, Sienna, Amelia K, Amelia M, Libby and Ruaridh

We now look forward to the last week of the 2013 school year. It will be a busy week with assembly, Year 3 Graduation, prize giving, school mass and farewells. Please note the following dates and times:

Tuesday 17 December 9:15am for Year 3 parents only - Year 3 graduation in the school hall (please bring a small plate of food to share for morning tea)

Wednesday 18 December 6:30pm for all - final school mass in the church - children wear uniform and sit with their parents

Thursday 19 December 12:30pm School finishes - reports (for some), 2014 class placements and stationery lists are handed out

Production Recounts

Last night we all performed in the Junior Syndicate musical "'Twas the Night Before Christmas". Everyone overcame their nerves and a few behind the scenes glitches to give an amazing performance. I am very proud of the way the children stepped up.
The outstanding favourite skit was Charles and the Seal.
Here's some snippets from our recount of the production:

I was a present. In the dance we did eight gallops to the left and then eight gallops to the right and then we went in and out two times. Then we skipped across to the side of the stage, picked up the presents and put them under the Christmas tree. We went round the tree and lined up to bow and curtsey. By Amelia M

I'm in kapa haka. When the curtains were closed everybody was getting into their lines. I was in the front row. When the curtains opened it was really scary. Everybody was looking at us. The light was on us and I couldn't see anything. By Elspeth

It was really scary when we started. I was really nervous and I felt like I couldn't do it right. So I just thought to myself they're only mums, dads, brothers, sisters and grandparents and theyr're not scary. Suddenly the curtains rose, thousands of people started at me and the music started. Finally the nerves drifted away. By Thea 

Then it was the Junior production. My favourite part was when Lily said 'Where are the blankets?' By Makahni

I was a traveling child. I was nervous when it was my part because there were lots and lots of people at the Aurora Centre. By Liam

Last night was the school production. the kapa haka group were on stage first. The boys did their haka. By Rheubyn

Yesterday was Wednesday and at six fifteen my sister and I were in the green room for the production. The Year 3s had to audition for a part in the production. By Amelia K

When it was my turn I felt really nervous. I was a bit late going on but it was great. I want to do it again. I think that all the practise was worth it. By Rebecca

In the production there were lots of claps and laughter going on. By Daniel

I was so sleepy when it was my bit so I had to use my two very last loud voices for the night. By Erin

Please wash and iron your costumes before returning them to school as soon as possible. Thank you for your support with this.

Term 4 Week 6

At today's school assembly Elspeth received a certificate.

Ka pai, Elspeth, we are proud of you.

Jack also received a certificate - his second Gold Mathletics certificate for 2013. This is an amazing achievement and represents Jack's dedication and commitment to working on Mathletics regularly. Congratulations, Jack, we are proud of you.

This morning's swimming went well - we all got on the bus and made it to the pool in time for our lessons. Thank you for your support with this. Check out these photos:

Daniel, Eve, Rebecca, Conor, Libby,
Harriet and Xavier

Ruaridh, Erin, Won Jeong and Amelia K

Sport Report

Yesterday Room 5 children played in the Touch and Summer Hockey competition. Everyone had a great game and Ruaridh (Touch) and Amelia (Hockey) were named 'Player of the Match' for their teams. Congratulations to you.

 

Ferrymead Trip

On Tuesday Room 13, Room 12 and Room 4 went to Ferrymead. While there we experienced what life was like 100 years ago. We had to dress up in costumes and wear them all day. The girls' dresses made walking and playing tricky as they were long. We had a great day. A special THANKS to the mums who helped us.
Here's some photos:

Harry, Daniel, Jack

Elspeth, Eve and Poppy

Chris wrapping soap

Amelia K counting blackballs

George spinning a wheel

Asher making a bed

Lachlan doing the dishes

Harry ironing

Xavier and Conor doing the dishes

Poppy and Rata on the tram

Jonathan on a hobby horse

Our teacher - she is not allowed to smile!

Term 3 Week 6

At today's school assembly Lachlan received a certificate.

Ka pai, Lachlan, we are proud of you.

Yesterday Amelia K, Rata and Amelia M sat dance exams. They each received a badge for their dances. Well done girls. 

We are learning about measurement. Today we used non-standard measures, such as hands, arms, pencils, pencil cases and books. Check out these photos:

Rebecca measuring with her hands

Jack and Harry measuring with their arms

Asher and Ruaridh measuring with a pencil

Rata measuring with her pencil case

Term 3 Week 5 'Star of the Week'

This week's 'Star of the Week' is Amelia K.

Ka pai, Amelia, it's great to have you in Room 13.

It was great to see so many at the disco tonight. I had a great time dancing with everyone.

Looking ahead to next week:

Tuesday 3 September we will be going to Ferrymead. Children need to bring a substantial morning tea and lunch as well as a full water bottle. Please pack morning tea separately. Please aim to be at school at 8:30am so we can complete the roll and check everyone is set for the day. This will be a great day.

Wednesday 4 September I am on a course, Boys and Literacy. Mr H will be teaching.

Have a super weekend.

Term 3 Week 2 'Star of the Week'

This week's 'Star of the Week' is Poppy.

Ka pai, Poppy, it's great to have you in Room 13.

Today Liam turned 7. We sang 'Happy Birthday' and wished him all the best for the coming year.

In our Religious Education lessons we have been learning about creation. We compared the bible story of creation with the Maori story of Rangi and Papa. We have drawn our own pictures of creation. Check out our painting and some of our finished art works.

Rata, Jonathan, Erin and Xavier

Libby, Liam and Conor

Poppy, Won Jeong and Harry

Sienna

Amelia K

Conor

Have a great weekend - all the best to our sporting stars.

Term 3 Week 1 'Star of the Week'

The first 'Star of the Week' for Term 3 is Sienna.

Ka pai, Sienna, it's great to have you in Room 13.

It's been great to see everyone this week and to catch up on the holiday happenings. Here's some of our recounts:

The most worthwhile thing I did in the holidays was going to Gore. In Gore I stayed on the farm. I was jumping off the trailer onto the grass and dirt while the motorbike was still going. It hurt a bit but it was fun. 
Daniel

The thing I would never do again is go on a treasure hunt with my Mum. We had to do ten levels. We started at Level Seven. I would never do it again because it took us two hours.
Makahni

The funniest thing that happened to me in the holidays was when my family went to Wanaka. We went to Puzzle World. There was a room that tilted to the side. My Mum was going to take a picture of my sister, my friends and me on a bar. I was holding onto the bar and Mum said to let go. I let go and fell over. My sister and friends laughed at me. 
Amelia K

This week we have started talking about our topic, Early New Zealand. Today we visited the Room 1 display. We were able to touch lots of olden day things like bellows, irons, heavy pots and other cooking utensils. We have formed our Inquiry Groups and already have lots of ideas about what we want to learn. We are looking forward to finding out lots of interesting things about life in NZ last century.

Term 2 Week 7 'Star of the Week'

This week's 'Star of the Week' is Amelia M.

Ka pai, Amelia, it's great to have you in Room 13.

This morning two reading groups presented plays:

The Kakapo Group presented 'The Best Chef'

Isobel, Ruaridh, Sienna, Lachlan, Poppy, Amelia M, Amelia K, Liam

And the Fantail Group presented 'Androcles and the Lion'

Rebecca, Libby, Eve, Erin, Chris

Reminder: Junior School Mass this Sunday 23 June at 9am. Meet in the Parish Centre at 8:45am.

Colour Poems

Today Room 13 wrote couplet poems. Check these out:

I love pink
So I'll give it a wink!
I want a pink raspberry bun.
Orange is fun!
     By Amelia K

Blue is cool
Blue is a pool
      By Harry

Red is the colour of the burning sun
I had a red bun
The colours of the rainbow are cool
Blue is the colour of the pool
     By Poppy

Colour is fun
I'll have a lovely raspberry bun
     By Elspeth


It's the time of year when half of Room 13 will be receiving their reports and having a Student Led Conference. Tomorrow a letter will be sent home with those who are involved in this. You need to book your conference time online. Click here and enter RCCP3 in the Event Code box. Follow the instructions to make your appointment. (Instructions are also in the letter).
This is a great time to celebrate your child's learning and successes so don't miss it.

Term 2 Week 6

At today's school assembly Poppy received a certificate.

Ka pai, Poppy, we are proud of you.

Four people received 'Player of the Day' for their Saturday sports teams. Congratulations to Rheubyn (rugby), Amelia M (hockey), Amelia K (hockey) and Jack (rugby). 

On Saturday I watched several Room 13 boys play soccer. We have some talented sports stars in Room 13. 

Here's a photo of Jonathan and me at half time.

Mathletics certificates were awarded to Libby, Jack and Jonathan. Well done.

This afternoon we had Buddy Reading with Room 8. Several of our big buddies were unable to read with us so their teacher, Mrs A, took their place. Libby, Isobel and Rata enjoyed sharing books with their new big buddy. Thanks Mrs A.

Term 2 Week 5 'Star of the Week' and Other News

This week's 'Star of the Week' is Daniel.

Ka pai, Daniel, it's great to have you in Room 13.

 This morning we talked about the Holy Spirit. We read a passage from Acts which told how the Holy Spirit came on the apostles like tongues of fire, at Pentecost. We then made 'stained glass windows' in the shape of tongues of fire to remind us of the Holy Spirit. Come into Room 13 to see our masterpieces.

We have continued to learn about Light and Colour. This afternoon we did some magic writing. We used lemon juice to write a line from our Colour acrostic poems, then we put the paper under an ultraviolet light which was inside a box. This made it possible for us to see what we had written. Some of us used a highlighter to write and then looked at it under the UV light. The UV light made the writing glow.

Libby and Amelia K writing their poems
in lemon juice

Poppy writing her poem
with a highlighter

Here's what the writing looked like under UV light: the top line is written with lemon juice and the second and third lines with a yellow highlighter.